California mudslide victims include children as young as 3

KABC-TV(MONTECITO, Calif.) — The 17 people killed in mudslides in Southern California this week included children ages 3, 6, 10 and 12.

According to the Santa Barbara County Coroner’s Office, these are the names of those killed this week when heavy rain unleashed flash floods, mudslides and debris flow in the southern part of the state.

A mudslide swept Roy Rohter, the founder of St. Augustine Academy in Ventura, California, and his wife out of their home in Montecito on Tuesday, according to the Catholic school’s headmaster, Michael Van Hecke. Rohter’s wife was rescued, but he did not survive, Van Hecke told ABC News.

“Roy’s life has been in service to his good, loving and ever-forgiving God,” Van Hecke, a close friend of the Rohters, said in a statement. “Thousands have been blessed by the Rohters’ friendship and generosity.”

Rohter believed strongly in Catholic education and dedicated his life to helping others, Van Hecke said.

“There is one thing Roy would want from everyone — prayers,” Van Hecke added. “He said so many times that after his passing, ‘Make sure everyone prays for my soul.’ We will, Roy!”

On Wednesday, loved ones searched for Montecito resident Josie Gower near her home, which was surrounded by knee-deep mud and large boulders that had been carried by the force of the mudslides.

Longtime friend Doug Scott told ABC News that Gower and another friend were on the second floor of her home but ventured downstairs when they heard rumbling. They were swept away by the mud, but the friend was rescued by clinging to a tree near the house, Scott said.

The home’s garage was completely destroyed and the cars had been swept away as well, said Gower’s son, Hayden Gower.

Rebecca Riskin, a real estate agent and founder of Riskin Partners, was also killed in the mudslides in Montecito, the company confirmed in a press release Wednesday.

Prior to selling luxury real estate and building her namesake firm in Montecito, Riskin had a successful career as a professional ballerina.

Riskin Partners described its founder as a renowned businesswoman whose “knowledge, strength and work ethic were eclipsed only by her unending grace, warmth and kindness.”

“The pinnacle of Rebecca’s life’s work and her lasting legacy lies in Riskin Partners and our enduring commitment to selling Montecito real estate,” said Dina Landi, managing partner at Riskin Partners. “We plan to continue Rebecca’s legacy and love for real estate with the same level of excellence, experience and service that Rebecca so effortlessly embodied.”

Riskin is survived by her two children, Robert and Julia, and her husband, Ken Grand, the company said.

James (Jim) and Alice Mitchell, along with their dog Gigi, were swept away by a mudslide in Montecito.

Their daughter Kelly Weimer last spoke to them on Monday when she called to wish her father a happy birthday.

Richard Taylor, a retired English professor, and his 6-year-old stepgrandson, Peerawat Sutthithepa, were also among the dead in Montecito, according to his brother Marshall Taylor.

Marshall Taylor told ABC News his brother went by his middle name, Loring, and was 79, not 67 as Santa Barbara County officials reported earlier. Peerawat’s last name was also misspelled by officials, Marshall Taylor said.

“Everyone that knew him thought he was a character,” he said of his brother. “He just marched to a different drummer.”